Faculty of Education Awards for Excellence in Teaching winners announced

They don’t do it for the recognition, but every now and then it’s nice to see educators being given credit when credit is due.

For David Hutchison and Mark Wickens, some much-deserved acknowledgement was recently bestowed upon them as this year’s Faculty of Education Award for Excellence in Teaching and Faculty of Education Award for Excellence in Sessional Teaching respectively.

Selected by a committee, the candidates for the awards submitted dossiers, along with letters of nomination and support that also included items such as their teaching methodology, career highlights, teaching evaluations and other criteria that noted their achievements as an educator.

Dr. Hutchison, Chair of the Department of Teacher Education, was honoured upon hearing of his award and notes that he could not have achieved what he has alone.

“So much of what I accomplished in my teaching, and certainly in my leadership role as Chair, has been in close partnership with others,” he said. “I am deeply grateful for the support of my colleagues and the spirit of innovation which pervades the Faculty of Education.”

Wickens, who teaches Instructional Methodology and is a Chair Cohort Advisor, was also honoured by the news of his award.

“It is an incredible honour to receive this recognition - I was so privileged to have received so many letters of support from colleagues and students,” he said. “I am truly blessed to work with such talented staff and students.”

Both Hutchison and Wickens share a common bond in their approach to teaching, and while their methods and styles are different, it is their passion that drives them to approach teaching in a unique and engaging way.

“Being a social studies educator, I very much emphasize participatory learning wherever I can,” said Hutchison, “especially opportunities for teacher candidates to engage with real and compelling social issues through interactive and engaging activities.”

For Wickens, he says even in his 36th year in education, it still feels like his first, always excited to meet new students and help them with the challenges they will undoubtedly face.

“It is a privilege to help students to believe in themselves and to recognize the talents they have that will help them make a difference,” he says. “What could be better than teaching preservice teachers to develop the skills they will require in the classroom and to help them become effective educators?”

Wickens was also recently named the winner of the Clarke Thomson Award for Sessional Teaching at the university level, and will receive his award on May 1.

The Faculty awards for Hutchison and Wickens will be presented at a date to be determined.